Luggage construction



July 23, 1963 Filed Jan. 26, 1960 W. BIALO LUGGAGE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY i @Zw July 23, 1963 w. BIALO 3,098,548

LUGGAGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 26, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. 3 A 35 mw la) j ovl/23 /8 3/ j? /7/'/ i W 3 2% 'V1 /f E! @s :if: fl] F. 375 I i-f-J d BY @j 3,098,548 LUGGAGE CONSTRUt-C'HN Walter Blain, New Rochelle, Nil. (S36 Broadway, New York, NX.) Filed Sian. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 4,669 l Claim. (Cl. intl-49) The present invention relates to a luggage construction, and it particularly relates to a hand luggage construction.

Although not restricted thereto and also suitable for various types of carrying cases or receptacles, the present invention will be particularly described in its application to leather or fabric type luggage construction in which the leather is mounted upon an extruded lightweight metal frame.

The trame is desirably of lightweight aluminum or other lightweight inetal or alloy, but it also may be made of hard stift plastic or even of steel, particularly stainless steel. V

In normal luggage constructions, the metal frame parts are wrapped or Iencolsed in thin fabric or leather and the thick leather or 'fabric of the body itself is stitched to the projecting edges of the bag or luggage construction.

This construction is expensive, readily subject to damage and is cumbersome and greatly increases the costs and weight of the luggage construction.

It is among the objects oi the present invention to provide a simple durable readily manufactured lightweight luggage construction which will be strong, not readily subject to damage and which not only is applicable to luggage per se, but also to various other container constructions, such yas hat boxes, briefcases, camera cases, toilet kits and the like.

Another object is to provide a novel luggage construction in which the metal frame shall constitute part of the exterior structure of the luggage as well as the interior structure thereof so that the entire leather material as well as the frame structure constitutes an integral structure of great strength and of pleasing appearance.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is gi-ven byway of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since `various changes therein inay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most satisfactory according to one embodiment of the present invention to provide a -frarne structure which will consist of two rectangular frame members of extruded lightweight metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, and less desirably stainless steel and in which there will be a central transverse body structure with adjacent male and lfemale overlapping wedging members and outwardly extending relatively thin members to which the leather or other fabric constituting the leather, may be directly stitched.

ln the preferred form of the invention, the exterior includes a relatively thin, flexible section extending transversely to the plane oi the frame upon which the edges of the leather or other leather like material are positioned and stitched.

The other portions are much thicker and more subject to flexibility, and they Iform an overlapping wedged structure together with vertical integral members constituting the connection between the telescoping wedge section and the thin tins to which the leather is stitched.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specilically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it Bddl Patented .lilly 23, 1963 is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

`In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a typical piece of luggage particularly broken away more clearly to show the interior structure, said luggage being in closed position.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the two halves of the luggage of FIG. 1 in open position showing the interior construction.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the telescope frames upon an enlarged scale showing the manner of attachment of the leather and the manner in which the frames meet, when they are about to telescope together.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view similar to FIG. 3 in which the frames have been completely closed together with the frames in their final abutment position.

FlG. 5 is a lfragmentary side perspective view showing the cross section 0f the trarne, enlarged as compared to FIGS. 3 and 4; FIG. 5 being a showing of the male member.

FIG. 6 is a similar fragmentary perspective View like FIG. 5 showing an end of the frame construction.

Referring to FIGS. l and 2, there is shown a luggage structure having the male frame member A and the female frame member B each of rectangular shape which are enclosed, :carried by a leather or leather like body C forming a container section and a cover section.

The cross section of the male frame member A and the female frame member B approximates an X or a 'l'.

Two of the opposite flanges at the head of the T or the opposite legs of the lbody of the X extend away -from each other and are approximately parallel to each other and are relatively thin so that they may be stitched to the leather or leather-like fabric forming the body C.

The opposite parallel legs which may be considered as positioned horizontally for the purpose of this description and which are parallel to the stitching llanges are heavier in cross section and are thicker so that they will be more rigid and they have adjacent bevel or oblique faces and they telescope over one another with a wedging eilect, with the male and female members coming together until they substantially meet at the crossing point of the X or at the crossing of the stem and the top of the T, depending upon which cross section more aptly describes the cross section of the frame members A and B. in either case, the stem of the T or the intermediate legs of the X are relatively heavier and of thicker material so that they will constitute the principal rigid body at the center of the frame members and this stem of the T or opposite legs of the X cross sec tion will lbe substantially perpendicular or transverse to the stitching ilanges and to the telescoping male and rfemale anges and they may be considered for the purpose of this description as extending perpendicular-ly or vertically to the stitching flange and the overlapping male and fe-male ilanges.

In closed position the male and female flanges will albut the center stem or @central legs of the T or X cross section, as the case may be, and the two frames will be wedged together in relatively tight position.

In the initial engagement the male and female flanges of the X or T cross section will first contact each other along their adjacent oblique or lbevel faces and then will slide up over one another until they are wedged together.

The lframes carry the hinges D lwhich are mounted upon the base of the luggage and they also are provided with the lock E and the handle F.

, 3 The hinges D, the lock E and the handle F mayY also be attached to the rectangular frame structures A and B.

The invention, however, is particularly directed to the actual construction of the frame members A and B, and to the manner in which they telescope together, and to the attachment of the covering material whether leather or synthetic fabric to the frames, and by the use of the Word leatherf is included leather like material, synthetic fabrics, cloth or various types of plastics which ser-ve as substitutes thereof or imitation of leather body materials.

Referring particularly to the male section A, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, there is a iirst heavy base member `10 of extruded aluminum having an upwardly projecting edge or top end 11 extending away from the luggage construction'and a @downwardly projecting edge or bottom end 12 extending into the mouth portion of the luggage construction.

Extending in the telescoping direction is the rst telescoping flan-ge member 13 having a heavy base portion 14 with a sloping or oblique surface `15 and a straight perpendicular surface 16.

From the other side of the iirst heavy base member 11 is the thin liexible readily penetrating tin or rst thin ilange member 17 to which the edge 18 of the leather may be stitched as indicated at 19` directly adjacent to and in close proximity to the iirst heavy base member 10.

Although this 1in 17 may be of slightly extra thickness at 20, adjacent to its junction to the lirst heavy Vbase member 10, it is desirably of uniform thickness throughout and is relatively flexible as compared to the thick sections of the iirst heavy base member and the tirst telescoping -llange member d3.

Referring now to the female member as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and `6, this member has a second heavy base member 21 with a relatively heavy rigid bottom end Z2 extending inwardly.

The top end of the second heavy base member 21 carries the inturned overlapping second telescoping flange member 23 which also has a relatively thick base portion 24 with the straight transverse top surface 25 and the oblique wedging bottom surface 26.

It will be noted that the second telescoping flange member 23 has a base face 27 which is olset inside of the face 28 of the second heavy base member 211.

The oppositely directed second thin -flange member or n 29 corresponds, to the first thin flange member 19, and it is flexible and penetratalble.

The edge Sil of the leather or other covering material is stitched as indicated at 31 to the second thin flange member 249 at 32 adjacent the irst heavy base member.

The position of the frames A and B is such that when they are initially closed together, the edge 33 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 will contact the oblique surface .16 of the rst telescoping flange member 13 and will then slide yfrom the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4 until the face 34 of the frame B contacts the face 3S of the frame A (see FIG. 4).

At the same time there will be a contact or stop between the face 36 of the ylirst heavy base member r13 and the oblique sur-face 37 of the second heavy base member 21.

'I'he telescoping connection as shown in FIG. 4 will tend to force the frame B outwardly and the frame A inwardly at the sti or non-ilexible side thereof Without greatly at'ecting the relatively thin first and second thin flange members 17 and 29.

The fabric or leather edges 1S and 30 may be directly stitched by the stitching 19 and 31 with a cylinder type chain stitch sewing machine having heavier gears and -with an awl shaped needle.

The frame members, which include a male frame member A and a tfemale frame member B, are of T cross section, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and `6, with the overlapping female leg 25 and male leg 15 constituting wedging members to wedge the structures together tightly upon closing, with the Wedging starting at a point along the inclined surface indicated at 33 in FIG. 3 and with the female flange 2,3y sliding up until the abutment at 35, at which point the edge 36 of the male member 16 will abut the -central abutment ilange of the T structure, as indicated `best in FIG. 4.

This wedging and sliding action takes pla-ce during the telescoping of the female leg or member 23 as it slides up on the male member 16 into the abutment position of FIG. 4.

The opposite legs 17 and 29 of the T cross sections, which are approximately parallel to but oppositely directed from the male and female wedging flanges v16 and 23 are much thicker so that the fabric portions 18 and 3d may overlay and also abut the central structural stem members and be stitched in position. The central members 10l and 21 are of relatively heavy stock and they are integral with the overlapping male and female flanges 16 and 23 and the stitching anges 17 and 29 and they constitute the `stern of the T structure or T cross section.

Although Avarious types of heavy duty sewing machines may be employed, it has been found that a Puritan XL cylinder machine adapts itself to the position employing a single thread and prodncing a chain stitch.

These machines are desirably provided with a sturdy awl which is forced through the thin llexible llanges 17 and 29 in one direction and withdrawn.

As the awl is withdrawn, the needles moves in or follows the awl from the opposite side of the material and enters the hole made by the awl.

The llanges 17 and 29 are desirably about 1A to 2/3 and desirably about 1/2 the thickness of the heavy flanges 13 and 23 which telescope together.

Although the vertical body elements may be made of intermediate thickness, they desirably are of the slightly greater thickness than the ilanges 17 and 29- to which the stitching is applied.

In the preferred construction, the thin anges 17 and Z9 may be made of thicknesses varying from 0.020" to 0.045" but preferably about 0.035, and the vertical members 10 and 21 may be made of similar thicknesses.

This thickness will enable ready penetration and stitching with an awl-type machine.

Normally, the sewing machine is modied so as to increase the power of the motor as well as .the cross section of the `drive belt between the motor and the sewing machine.

In one preferred for-m, the wall thickness of the vertical members 10 and 21 may be yfrom 0.035" up to 0.062 and the thick base 14 of the llange 13:` may be twice the thickness of the flanges 17 and 29.

The top faces ofthe thin flange members 17 and 29 are `desirably displaced sulfrciently below the top face of the llange 23 and the top edge of the irst heavy base member v10 so that the top face of the covering material may be substantially `lush, although slightly below the top of the vertical or body member 10 and the top face of the flange 23 as shown in FIG. 3.

The metal of the frames A and B is desirably extruded and extends continuously around the top and sides of the luggage as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and it will be split at the middle of the bottom at the position of the middle hinge D as shown in FIG. 2.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the split may be covered by a junction plate 55 riveted to the split ends.

The bottom boards 56 which extend from the frames A and B to the outer edges 57 are added for reinforcement and stiifening purposes, and they may be riveted into position by the connection of the hinges D.

The leather or other synthetic fabric material desirably extends in strips 58 and 59 around the frames A and B, with its edges stitched as indicated at 19 and 31 in FIG. 3, and it is attached by riveting, stitching or both at 60 and 61 (see FIG. 1) to the side walls 62 and 63.

An inside covering material 64 and 65 may also be used to nish the inside of the luggage.

'The actual alloy which may ybe used 'for the frames A and B may consist of the alloy known as 6063-T5 of the Aluminum Company of America.

An alloy consisting of 65 to 95% of aluminum has been found to be the best type of alloy, and it may be readily given color or luster by anodizing process.

The actual top surface of the second heavy base member 23 and the top end of the first heavy base member 10 will be exposed at the exterior of the luggage and will give an attractive contrasting appearance to the leather, fabric body.

In general, in the form shown, the telescoping sections are thicker and more rigid than the attachment flanges 17 and 29, but in view of the rectangular shape of the frames A and B and their rounded corners, it is possible to achieve suilicient flexibility so as to permit the wedging operation as indicated from positioning 3 to position 4.

The thickness of the neck at 66 in the female frame B will also aid in the wedging as shown in FIG. 4.

It will be noted that the flexibility or stiffness of the material of the frames A and B depends upon the thickness of the section and that each of the frames may be considered as having an X shape with one leg of the X consisting of a heavy base member forming the body from opposite sides of which project the thin flanges 17 and 29, and the telescoping flanges 13 and 23.

Although the extensions are bot-h of X shape, they are so designed that one will telescope inside of the other with there being a wedging connection when the frames are closed together.

The wedging construction will give a greater rigidity and strength to the luggage Without increasing the Weight or bulkiness thereof.

Moreover the fact that 4the face 25 and the top edge of the first heavy base member project slightly above the face of the leather will protect said leather lagainst undue scuiling.

The turning or frame or extension at the four corners as shown in FIGS. l and 2, will also give extra strength and permit the wedging operation as indicated in FIG. 4.

No attempt is made to perforate the flanges 17 or 29 before the sewing machine operation, but the aWl and stitching operation take place at the same time.

It is understood, that in addition to leather, it is possible to use fabric, canvas, laminated ymaterials or even composite boards, and that the basic frame structure may -be made hexagonal, circular, triangular, or various other shapes than rounded corners, rectangular, as shown in FIGS. l and 2.

Referring specically to the cross section of the frame members, the frame members as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 desirably consist of aluminum extrusions of aluminum alloy of t-he type known as X4l074 with a minimum hardness of 8 Webster with a weight per running inch of about 0.007 pound.

The thin stitchable tins or thin flanges 17 and 29 have a Width of about 0.562" and a thickness or" about 0.033 in the preferred embodiment.

Desirably, .both thin iianges 17 and 29 may -be of the same thickness and width.

rFhe heavy base members 10 and 21 desirably have a thickness of about 0.047" in the preferred embodiment whereas telescoping flange members 13 and 33 may have -a .terminal thickness of about 0.058, and they may thicken at their base or root adjacent the heavy base members 10 :and 21 to about a thickness of 0.085" to 0.1.

If desired, both the top of the telescoping flange members 13 and 33 may be crowned or rounded, although they may also be flat as shown.

As many changes could be made in the above luggage construction, `and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope olf the claim, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as `illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

A substantially rectangular luggage construction com- Y prising a container section and a cover section, each of said container and cover sections having a mouth portion, a substantially rectangular frame member circumscribing each mouth portion, an enclosure portion and a flexible fabric covering material surrounding said enclosure portion; a hinge means pivotally connecting said container and cover sections so that said luggage construction may be in an opened position with said mouth portions being separated and in a closed position with said mouth portions being in juxtaposition to each other; the substantially rectangular frame member of said container section having in cross section a first heavy base member positioned in a plane parallel to the plane of the mouth portion of said container section, said first heavy base member having a top end extending away from said mouth portion and a bottom end extending int-o said mouth portion, an integral first thin flange member extending inwardly of said container enclosure portion and having a top surface in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said first heavy base member and spaced a distance slightly in excess of the thickness of said llexible fabric from said top end of said `first heavy base member, and an integral first telescoping flange member extending outwardly of said container enclosure portion and having a top surface, a bottom surtface, and an outer end, said top surface of said lirst telescoping flange member bein-g in a plane which is obique to the plane of said first heavy base member and intersecting said first heavy base member at a point which is a predetermined distance from said top end. of said first heavy base member; the substantially rectangular frame member of said cover section having in cross section a second heavy base member positioned in a plane parallel to the plane of said mouth portion of said cover section, said second heavy base member having a top end extending away from said mouth portion and a bottom end extending into said mouth portion, an integral second thin ilange member extending inwardly o-f said cover enclosure portion and having a top surface in a plane perpendicular `to the plane of said second heavy base member and spaced a dist-ance slightly in excess of the thickness of said ilexible fabric from said top end of said second heavy base member, and an integral second telescoping ilange member extending outwardly of said cover enclosure section and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer end, said outer end being slightly less in thickness than -said predetermined distance, said top surface of said second telescoping flange member being in a plane which is perpendicular to said second heavy base member and in line with said top end of said second heavy base member, said hottorn surface of said second telescoping flange member being in a plane which is oblique to the plane of said second heavy base member; the flexible fabric covering material of said container enclosure section being stitched to the top surface of said first thin flange memher, and the flexible yfabric covering material of said cover enclosure section being stitched to the top surface of said `secon-d thin flange member, the top surfaces of said first and second thin flange members being in the same plane and aligned with each other when said luggage construction is in said closed position, the oblique bottom surface of said second telescoping ilange member being in a plane which is less oblique than the plane of the oblique top surface of said first telescoping flange member, the oblique top surface of said lirst telescoping ilange member being contacted at a point between the outer end of said first telescoping flange member and the first heavy base member by the oblique bottom surface of said second telescoping flange member to provide a Wedging action as said luggage construction is being closed; the outer end of said rst telescoping ange member being in abuttin-g relationship with said second heavy base member and the outer end of said second telescoping flange member being 5 in yabutting relationship with said rst heavy base member when said luggage `construction is in said closed position.

943,333 Becker De.14, 1909 10 8 Burchess June 8, 1926 Weltz June 2,3, 1931 `Otten July 5, 1932 Platt Aug. 311, 1937 Platt Dec. 26, 1939 Arlitt Apr. 1, 1958 Heitler Apr. 8, 1958 

